Dilemma

[mijc]

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I have a situation. Its about whether I should take a gap year or not. The situation is that if I apply this cycle it will give me a shot at mid tier schools and low tier schools considering that I have a 3.98c and 32 MCAT. However if I took a gap year and really studied for the MCAT without classes I really believe that I can get a 38 or greater which would give me better chance at some of the top tier schools. My question is whether I should apply this year or wait until next year? However at the same time I will not have to take a gap year.

Thanks

 

[crimsonkid85]

It depends on your appetite for risk. Let's say you don't get into Harvard this year. Will you blame it on your 32? Will you wake up, years later, and wonder -- what if I scored a 38 on my MCAT? Will I have attended HMS? Would my whole life have changed because of this? Will you be doomed to mediocrity and a life not worth living because of this? If your answer is yes to these questions, then take a gap year.

Otherwise, don't.

 

[Lya]

Many people will tell you to just apply this cycle and don't look back, since retaking 32 MCAT might risk a lower score just as much as a higher score.

If you really want to give it one more shot and if your practice full lengths consistently show 35-36+ MCAT, then sure it might be worthwhile to take a gap year, so that in the future you won't ask yourself, "What if?" If that is the case, just make sure you have some meaningful activities ready for your gap year.

 

[mijc]

I think I should have been a little more clear. I havent taken the MCAT yet. 32 was a hypothetical number.

 

[crimsonkid85]

The situation is that if I apply this cycle it will give me a shot at mid tier schools and low tier schools considering that I have a 3.98c and 32 MCAT.

What about this statement says your MCAT is hypothetical? Perhaps my English is not so good. It is my second language, after all.

 

[justAstudent]

I think I should have been a little more clear. I havent taken the MCAT yet. 32 was a hypothetical number.

Study and take the test first.

 

[Goro]

It's an act of hubris to re-take MCAT with an already acceptable score. You can just as easily go up by one point, stay the same, or go down. You'll ghet just as fine an education at NYMC or Albany as you will at, say, Pitt or NYU. So apply now and target strategically.

I have a situation. Its about whether I should take a gap year or not. The situation is that if I apply this cycle it will give me a shot at mid tier schools and low tier schools considering that I have a 3.98c and 32 MCAT. However if I took a gap year and really studied for the MCAT without classes I really believe that I can get a 38 or greater which would give me better chance at some of the top tier schools. My question is whether I should apply this year or wait until next year? However at the same time I will not have to take a gap year.

Thanks

 

[huskydock]

I think I should have been a little more clear. I havent taken the MCAT yet. 32 was a hypothetical number.

What makes you so confident that you'll get a 32? Did you take a few practice tests?

 

[moisne]

I have a situation. Its about whether I should take a gap year or not. The situation is that if I apply this cycle it will give me a shot at mid tier schools and low tier schools considering that I have a 3.98c and 32 MCAT. However if I took a gap year and really studied for the MCAT without classes I really believe that I can get a 38 or greater which would give me better chance at some of the top tier schools. My question is whether I should apply this year or wait until next year? However at the same time I will not have to take a gap year.

Thanks

Apply this year. You should have a good chance at mid tier no problem and with some luck/fate you may end up in your dream school. Now do you have "life experience" and other medical experience? If not, apply anyways but start doing some volunteering. My EC got me in 😀

 

[DokterMom]

The tippy-top schools ALSO want outstanding ECs, stellar research and a unique life story, so MCAT alone won't do the job. If your non-numerics are truly Harvard-Hopkins grade (check out MDApps) then consider postponing your application a year (if necessary) to get that 35+. If not, a 32 is a perfectly acceptable score.

 

[darksurg]

I think I should have been a little more clear. I havent taken the MCAT yet. 32 was a hypothetical number.

I like your sanguineness.

 

[dbeast]

I think I should have been a little more clear. I havent taken the MCAT yet. 32 was a hypothetical number.

#lulz